Tufted carpeting has a unitary primary backing comprising a woven synthetic scrim with a backing layer of staple fibers needled onto its back surface before tufting. The tuft bases are at least partially surrounded by the fibers of the backing layer, and sizing is applied to the underside of the carpet after tufting. The resulting product has excellent dimensional stability, stiffness and flame retardance, and requires no secondary backing. In the preferred embodiment, the staple fibers are needled through the scrim to provide, in addition to the backing layer, a dyeable subface on the face side.